Windows Home Server released into the wild

The release of Windows Home Server in the US is imminent, and users are …

With Bill Gates' announcement earlier this year that Windows Home Server would be available as a "system builder" product (that means "OEM" to most hardware geeks), enthusiasts and system builders alike have been looking forward to its release. With several different rumors being floated last week regarding when Windows Home Server would hit store shelves, we checked in with Microsoft to get the full and somewhat-confusing story. The short version is: it's already out in the wild, but catching a copy from your favorite reseller may prove tricky for at least two more weeks.

Here's the deal: Microsoft has shipped Windows Home Server to both OEMs and distributors, and customers are already taking delivery outside of the US. Microsoft tells us that there is no "launch date" for WHS. Rather, after the code was released to manufacturing last month, it was passed to OEMs and distributors, and those guys are on their own schedule. Likewise, there will be no officially-announced pricing, as Microsoft does not disclose any OEM or system builder pricing.

However, Microsoft has also established a tech support availability date of August 27 for the North American market, and while the company told Ars Technica that this is not a release date, it is meaningful. Since the license that comes with "system builder" versions of WHS will require "system builder" support, that support will need to be ready. Hence, the appearance of these materials is an indication that Microsoft expects the product to be offered by US stores near the end of the month. (For more on "system builder" status and what it entails, check out this previous report on OEM Vista.)

Hardware products incorporating Windows Home Server are still a month away, according to our own sources at two different companies working on products. However, the "system builder" version of the code is already appearing in stores around the world, and pricing is showing up in several markets. While Microsoft would not reveal any more specific information to us, it is quite clear that products are being stocked and distributed right now, though there have been no known North American sightings. Readers have informed us that they have already obtained WHS in Australia. The unofficial MS Windows Home Server blog tracked some of the earliest reports of pricing around the world:

In New Zealand, Aquila Technology have it priced at NZ$253 excluding GST whilst Ascent Technology's price includes GST at NZ$298.74. Over here in the UK, ebuyer's price is £88.74 including VAT, which is a lot better than our original estimate. Germany has pricing for the English version between €130 to €148 from eight different suppliers, and Eyo Drop Shipping in Australia are charging AUD$229.96 including GST.

But what about pricing in the US? Estimates around the 'Net have WHS priced as low as $100 to as high as $250. As distributors and resellers adjust their prices, you can expect some fluctuations; it's been noted that the pricing for WHS on ebuyer.com has changed "three or four times already." We expect pricing to come in close to $199, as Microsoft prices are usually a little stiffer for the North Americans than for the Europeans.

With additional reports of Windows Home Server forum participants in Australia and New Zealand taking delivery of their OEM copies as early as August 16, we pressed Microsoft for a hint. Home Server spokesman Joel Sider told Ars "We're pleased to see the system builder version is making its way through the channel, and are looking forward to seeing system builder products. I can't tell you exactly when the system builder version will be available in the US, but I expect it will be soon."

Here at the Orbiting Headquarters, several of us have already made the jump from RC1 to the RTM version of WHS in preparation for our upcoming review, and we're impressed with what we've seen. Look for our thoughts in the next couple of weeks, and if there's anything you'd like us to focus on, let us know.